Environmental Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

The hiring unit has established the following internal cut-off dates for this Job Control:

• August 14, & 28, 2024
• September 11, & 25, 2024
• October 9, & 23, 2024
• November 6, & 20, 2024
• December 4, & 18, 2024
• January 1, & 15, 2025

Applications will be reviewed after each date listed above, and selections can be made. However, the Job Control will remain open until the vacancy is filled. If your application is submitted after the most recent cut-off date, it will be applied to the next review period.

Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent will conduct environmental health inspections on dairy farms and at milk processing and PRMP plants, gather scientific data, research and investigate food safety hazards, test pasteurization equipment for proper operation and food safety controls, and provide analytical expertise and reports on specific food safety parameters on dairy farms, milk processing plants, bulk milk haulers and other dairy food and PRMP facilities, including those associated with possible illegal sales of substandard dairy products to California consumers.

• Utilize and maintain knowledge of current state-of-the-art field equipment and technologies to obtain measurements of dairy foods and food processing parameters that relate to food safety or component analysis
• Respond to emergency food contamination incidents or food-borne illness outbreaks linked to milk products plants: conduct potentially complex environmental health investigations to identify, mitigate and correct the cause of contamination and emerging issues; prepare protocols, procedures, questionnaires, and guidelines for investigation; and serve impound notices and/or official quarantine recall orders as directed
• Collect and review documentation and distribution information of recalled dairy food products. Analyze documents collected for completeness and follow-up with regulated firms to ensure that all impacted products’ distribution information has been provided. Ensure that recalled foods are properly segregated for rework or destruction. Manage and oversee the voluntary condemnation and destruction of adulterated recalled foods in a manner that prevents their diversion or scavenging by the public
• Investigate and resolve all complaints received, from consumers, industry or other public or environmental health agencies in a timely manner, including any follow-up inspections, sampling and/or collaboration with allied agencies as necessary
• Develop and implement a schedule and plan for collection of milk, milk products, well water, and re-circulated water system samples at assigned facilities to ensure that each respective type of sample is collected as required by the FAC, CCR and PMO
• Develop sample plan and coordinate the collection and submission of environmental, compliance, and surveillance samples in response and follow-up to food safety incidents
• Develop and implement an inspection schedule for assigned dairy farms, including routine evaluations, official scored evaluations and sample collection to ensure proper sanitary maintenance and operation and that assessment frequency meets or exceeds FAC, CCR, PMO and IMS

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The duties of this job are performed outdoors approximately 75% of the time. The incumbent works out of his/her home office and reports to the Regional Office only to pick up supplies, attend meetings and turn in required documents. Most of the workday will be spent traveling to various locations throughout the region.

When working outdoors the incumbent may be exposed to extremes in temperature, fumes and gases. The noise level in equipment rooms may be high.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-443506

Position #(s):

014-165-0762-004

Working Title:

Environmental Scientist

Classification:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,145.00 – $5,132.00 A

$5,037.00 – $6,250.00 B

$6,375.00 – $7,926.00 C

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Fresno County

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Milk and Dairy Food Safety Branch is responsible for ensuring that milk, dairy products, and products resembling milk products (PRMP’s) are safe, unadulterated, and properly labeled to safeguard public health. The Branch inspects dairy farms, bulk milk tanker trucks, and milk processing plants; issues permits and licenses to dairy farms and processing facilities; collects samples for regulatory testing to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards; reviews product labels for conformance with regulations to avoid misleading information for consumers; completes in-depth reviews and food safety assessments of complex equipment or novel processing methods, and evaluates and licenses technical food safety competencies of dairy industry workers. The Branch also responds to food safety incidents, and initiates product impounds and recalls as warranted.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Registered Dairy Inspector (RDI) Certificate Certificate. You will be required to provide a copy of your certificate prior to being hired.

Possession of a Registered Dairy Inspector (RDI) Certificate and valid driver’s license are required for this position.

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Food & Agriculture

Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-443506

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Food & Agriculture

Human Resources Branch JC-443506

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA95814

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-443506

08:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Degree/Diploma

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:

Robyn Ypema

(916) 900-5008

robyn.ypema@cdfa.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department’s EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

Office of Civil Rights

(916) 654-1005

Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Hard Copy Applications:

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 06/2024 version.

Additional Information:

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Alternate Classifications and Training and Development assignments may be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

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